Open Mainline Flights
 

Hey guys I'm not meaning this to be flame. I was wondering what flights that go internationally are usually pretty open? I have from the 13th-20th off and wouldn't mind taking a trip somewhere. Just don't want to get to the airport and find that one flight is no good. Not sure where I'd like to go so I'll take any that you know usually have pretty decent probability of getting on.
Duck

What's flame about it?

I think any flight that's ALWAYS empty will get CANX or have it's frequency reduced. I went ATL-Madrdid spain last month on DAL. Wide open both ways. But what you really should do is pick out some specific destinations and flights and then ask someone to check loads for you if it's offline.

Remember to get ZED passes, jumpseating might not work on international...or it might work outbound but not inbound, leaving you stranded.

Toilet Duck: What base/codeshares are you flying at Rah? (I think you're a Republic 170 driver perhaps, but don't really remember....) If you're at Shuttle you can use DLNet or UA Expressnet to dream/trip plan, or of course the Hub if you're at RW. Europe is typically pretty open this time of year; last year my wife and I went to CDG on wide open flights both ways. Good luck and have fun...

I fly on the CHQ ticket for the 145. I have travel benefits on Continental, American, Delta, United, and US Airways. For now. Lets hope the company never double checks that I switched bases :D

I've heard of a flight from RDU to England that has a 777 and is usually decently open. I've never messed with the ZED passes. Is it not easy to just jumpseat somewhere if you stay on an american carrier going there and coming back?

Duck

The TSA will not allow anyone in the actual when inbound to the US, period.

Other countries may have rules of their own, and airlines are often more restrictive on international JSing. You would need to research who might let you fly as a JSer (not in the actual).

The best bet is to stick with airlines on whom you have non-rev privileges...sounds like you have enough to chose from.

You're not going to get in an actual cockpit jumpseat going international. Most allow you to "jumpseat", but it just has to be in a seat in the back. AA, it the most restrictive, though, and you have to be on their special international Jumpseat list in order to do it. Loads have been great for jumpseating in Jan and Feb, but are starting to pick up now with March springbreakers. I'd just check the loads and pick a place where they look good. Lots of places out there to visit.

Good luck.

Yes when I say JS I mean in the back. When you JS internationally do you have to still pay taxes?

Don't forget the Cargo operators. A seat, meal and if you're lucky, a bunk...do some searching on the fine site here....

Unfortunately CHQ is not on the AA International J/S list, and for my money the STL AA benes aren't worth squat (you're basically bottom of the barrel boarding priority, and won't ever be upgraded to F/J).

UA from ORD to most places in Europe is usually pretty decent this time of year; lots of 777s and just a few 76s. Also consider EOS JFK-STN, they're all business-class and allow two off-liners per flight. As to CHQ knowing you switched bases, well, what they don't know won't hurt you, right? Good luck and have fun.